Parents' Guide to

The Shadow Society

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Affecting alternate-world fantasy promotes tolerance.

Book Marie Rutkoski Fantasy 2012
The Shadow Society Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 12+

Based on 1 parent review

macmomdaly
macmomdaly Parent
July 17, 2013
age 12+

Nothing New but a good summer read

My son had to read this, along with the rest of his 8th grade classmates for Summer break. It's a quick read. It is the same genre as Hunger Games, Matched and Divergent. His only complaint was the "lovey dovey" aspect (same as the other books). Nothing new for discussion but may be a good choice if you or your child are looking for a fun summer read, especially if you are familiar with Chicago.
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What's the Story?

Abandoned outside a Chicago fire station at the age of 5, Darcy Jones doesn't remember much about her childhood. Now a high school student in foster care, she has a fairly stable life with a good-natured guardian and a handful of loyal friends. But when she's kidnapped by Conn McCrae, a member of the Interdimensional Bureau of Investigation, she discovers an alternate Chicago inhabited by Shades, a race of mysterious beings with powers that border on the magical. While searching for a way home, she attains new abilities and memories that threaten everything she cares about.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

THE SHADOW SOCIETY is a cleverly constructed alternate-world fantasy set in two versions of Chicago. Darcy Jones is an intriguing protagonist -- clearly traumatized by her abandonment but engaged in building a better life for herself with grit and good humor. Her interactions with her friends at school especially ring true. Unfortunately, Darcy's fascination with Conn McCrae, the mysterious boy who essentially ends up kidnapping her, feels forced. Readers may wonder why he's worth so much attention after Darcy discovers a whole other universe and a new set of powers for herself.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how alternate worlds are often a component in science-fiction and fantasy tales. What do you like about those kinds of stories?

  • What do you think about The Shadow Society's message about tolerance? Does the conflict between cultures in the book remaind you of any cultural conflicts in our world?

  • How is poetry suited to shedding light on the human condition?

Book Details

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